How YOU can help orphan children . . .
Loving the Lord, the lost . . . and orphans.
It’s such a joy to love orphan children . . . for God’s kingdom and for His GLORY!At Harvest Ministry, our primary calling is missions evangelism and soul-winning; but we have found that rescuing orphans is a spiritual battle-zone for the next generation. Currently, we are excited and honored to be caring for over 1000 orphan children — physically, educationally, emotionally, and spiritually — and we wanted to share how YOU can be a part.
From God’s Word, we definitely know that orphans are on God’s heart . . . and they’re also on our heart!
The Bible says, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27)
How YOU can help . . .
Before we share more details, we wanted to give you the “bottom-line” — with two specific ways that you could help some very special orphan children.
1. You can PRAY!
James 5:16 tells us, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Prayer takes time and it is a huge gift. We know that prayer makes a difference and we would greatly appreciate your prayers for this area of Harvest Ministry orphan outreach (especially for God’s wisdom and direction).2. You can become an ORPHAN SPONSOR.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Harvest Ministry orphan sponsor (through a monthly orphan-child-sponsorship — of any amount — or through a one-time or special orphan gift), just CONTACT US with your name and mailing address. We would be happy to send you an info brochure and Harvest Ministry’s monthly mission update.
Each “number” is a real little child . . . with a heart and a soul and a potential to love Jesus!
Our call to the lost . . .
In world missions, Harvest Ministry’s focus is evangelism. Specifically, we’re called to preach the Gospel to a lost and hurting world, especially to “unreached” people who have never heard of Jesus Christ, and especially in areas that are currently “most-ripe” for harvest.
Over the years, we have often found that some of the world’s most spiritually-hungry areas are also physically-needy areas. Often Harvest Ministry is called to preach the Gospel in current war-zones, or in places that are facing tremendous political and economic challenges. And as we’ve been preaching the Gospel and winning souls for Jesus . . . the Lord has shown us His love for orphan children.
The need to help orphans is HUGE and it’s a strategic point of “battle” against the enemy.The Bible tells us in Hebrews 1:9,
“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
We just hate the devil and his deplorable acts. Not only does he “kick” people when they’re down and condemn people when they’ve fallen into his sinful traps; but he has no qualms about taking the most innocent victims of his violence, diseases and sin — precious orphan children — and abusing them to further his evil agenda.
The statistics are horrific.
Worldwide, over 143,000,000 children are orphans. To survive, many of these children are forced to beg or to steal food . . . or worse. Many are sold or “tricked” into slavery. Little boys are forced to become child soldiers. Little girls are forced into the sex trade. Every 15 seconds, another African child becomes an AIDS orphan; in Africa alone, at the end of every year, over two million children will become orphans.
To us, these numbers are not just stats and heart-tugging-manipulators. To us, each number is a real child, with a heart and a soul and a potential to love Jesus.
In many areas where Harvest Ministry has led evangelistic outreaches and where new churches have been planted, local believers often face huge practical challenges. In many villages, national pastors are dealing with a crisis of SO MANY orphan children — due to AIDS, civil war, disease, or incoming refugees — that is way-beyond the capability of their poor congregations. Many church families are trying to help the orphans of their relatives and friends, but sometimes these small churches need help, even for temporary relief.
Since the launching of our orphan outreach in 2006 — by God’s grace and through the generosity and prayers of our wonderful partners — Harvest Ministry has helped to rescue over 1,200 orphan children.
Building projects have included schools, chapels, kitchens, and children’s homes. Special projects have included “underwear-drives” and truckloads-of-mattresses. Over the years, hundreds of children have been fed three meals a day. And most importantly, these children have come to love Jesus Christ. Orphans have saved by God’s grace, water baptized, filled with God’s Holy Spirit and trained in His Word. Many are now involved in worship and dance outreaches, mission evangelism in villages, and church ministry.
Some of these “little missionaries” had been sleeping under trees or wandering the streets. Some were starving or being abused by relatives. Some had nothing but old ripped-up garbage sacks for blankets.
To see these kids now happy and worshiping Jesus is such a JOY.
Prayer and Worship is a vital part of the ministry at Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center
“You have been the helper of the orphan.”
(Psalm 10:14)
Harvest Ministry is called to help children who are not being helped by others. We especially feel a burden to help the orphan needs in the village churches that Harvest Ministry helped to establish. Sometimes our current situations are not as “pretty” and “perfect” as other more established orphan homes; but the needs we have found are real; and the leaders are loving, godly, and genuine people of integrity.
Our calling is to help orphan children in great need . . . for the Glory of our GREAT GOD.
Our daughter Caela with a few children from the Village Family Zone Centers in SW Uganda
Josh & Anna Dunagan – with the children from Aasha (Hope) Children’s Home in Asia
Jon Dunagan – with precious children we helped to rescue – Bussi Island, Uganda
The need . . .
Currently Harvest Ministry is caring and supporting over 1000 orphan children in East Africa: including fully providing for 530 younger orphan children at Guma Na Yesu “Keep With Jesus” Children’s Center (in Mbarara, Uganda), fully providing for 170 older children (primarily orphans) at our Kingdom Vocational Secondary School, plus, overseeing and “checking-up” on an additional 300 orphan children who are living with their relatives and/or Christian families in remote areas and being helped by church-based Village Family Zone Centers (located throughout East Africa).
Also, our son and daughter-in-law Josh & Anna Dunagan are fully supporting 32 orphan children at Aasha (Hope) Children’s Home in South Asia through a brand-new mission, Gospel Projects International, originally launched-out from Harvest Ministry. Also, together with Gospel Projects, Harvest Ministry is in the process of establishing a second new children’s home in another needy area in Asia.
The on-going support for the 700 children at Guma Na Yesu ‘Keep With Jesus’ Children’s Center includes spiritual care and Bible training (with daily chapels, prayer time, fervent worship, and opportunities for ministry outreach); provision for a safe place to live; Christian education (including nationally required school subjects, plus music, cultural dance, and sports); three simple meals each day; clothing (including school uniforms and play clothes); and loving care from the Christian teachers, church leaders, and mommas.
The on-going support through the Village Family Zone Centers includes provision for supervising tutors who travel to the villages to check-up on 300 orphan children and to help encourage the children’s school work, and assistance through local churches for families who have adopted children.
Ann Dunagan – having fun with kids from Guma Na Yesu (Keep With Jesus) Children’s Center – Uganda
School buildings at Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center – Uganda
How YOU can help these children . . .
The need is great and any help (through prayer or support) is very appreciated, to help with spiritual, educational and emotional needs. The physical needs are great, especially for food and living conditions. The kids are happy, safe, and doing very well. They are receiving good education, clothing, and basic needs. We’re continually praising God for His provision and rejoice in His daily “manna.” The spiritual situation is strong and the on-sight atmosphere is full of God-glorifying life and JOY!!!
As you can imagine, there are many ongoing needs — for food, water, clothing, shoes, school supplies, beds/bedding, primary health needs, and continued construction.
Because there are so many orphan children we need to help, Harvest Ministry is no longer doing one-on-one child sponsorship. Some of our orphan projects are short-term relief efforts, or in the process of becoming self-supporting; because of this, we need the flexibility to transfer Harvest Ministry’s orphan funds to the greatest areas of current orphan need. Also, coordinating individual communication between hundreds of children and many individual sponsors is too time-and-labor-demanding for our family-based mission. We realize it’s a “fun” family project to receive a child packet with an individualized picture and regularly updated information on “your” chosen child; however, as we’ve prayed and sought the Lord about how to move forward to help many more needy children — along with how to focus on all the other mission work and our own family balance — we believe we are not to go this route.
Primary school children at Guma Na Yesu (Keep With Jesus) Children’s Center in Uganda
We have been encouraged by testimony of George Müller (1805-1898) , a well-known missionary who believed God for the provision of thousands of orphans in Bristol, England without sharing his need with anyone (and we can safely assume, without any one-on-one sponsorships).
The logistical administration for this “fun” element of one-on-one sponsorship is extremely time-consuming (way-more than we realized). Harvest Ministry went this route for five years, when we first launched our orphan ministry, but the Lord has clearly shown us to make a change. Now, we are simply trusting God for all these children. We’re believing for His provision, even without the personal benefit of one-on-one communication. All of these kids need our help. Instead on one-on-one update packs and individual sponsor letters, Harvest Ministry will highlight individual children throughout the year, along with specific areas for prayer..
At Harvest Ministry, 100% of all mission gifts designated for ORPHAN needs are used for these needy orphan children. Nothing is taken out for any administrative/office needs.
Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center
Ugandan Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center Directors, Naboth & Alice Tumuhairwe
A few ideas . . .
As we live simply, God can help us to give generously . . . and a little bit can make a BIG difference.
If you are looking for a specific sponsorship amount, please know that any amount can make a huge difference to provide for food for a child or for education. orphan child — and to help care for each child in spirit, soul, and body. A suggested amount could be anywhere from $25/month to $100/month for orphan food or orphan education.
And please know that 100% of every mission gift designated for LOVING ORPHANS is used for needy orphan children.
We praise God for His continued provision and know that He will direct those who are called to join with us to help meet each need. In addition to monthly sponsorships (which primarily meet our daily food and educational needs), you might be interested in a special project for orphans . . . such as clothing or underwear or mattresses (each about $10/child), bunk beds ($25/child) or blankets ($5/child), or help with larger building projects.
The children all have pillows, blankets and a special TRUNK-BOX for personal belongings. Recently, we built a new new high school (secondary/vocational) school, along with dorms for both the boys and the girls. Through generous friends, God helped provide for a BED-project, to get bunk-beds and mattresses for all of the kids. Other recent projects have included building a necessary water container, digging a well, bringing-in electricity, building apartment rooms for the teachers, and adding a large bathroom facility.
Several current needs include
How YOU can help . . .
Once again, here are two ways you can help Harvest Ministry’s orphan children:
1. You can PRAY!
2. You can become an ORPHAN SPONSOR.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Harvest Ministry orphan sponsor (through a monthly orphan-child-sponsorship — of any amount — or with a one-time or special orphan gift), just CONTACT US with your name and mailing address. We would be happy to send you an info brochure and Harvest Ministry’s monthly mission update.
Here’s a bit more here on our website . . .More about how we’re LOVING ORPHANS . . .
More about Guma Na Yesu (Keep With Jesus) Children’s Center in Mbarara, Uganda . . .
More about Aasha (Hope) Children’s Home in Asia (directed by Gospel Projects International)God bless you!!!
NETS News: Reaping a Harvest
Mission News from the NETS (National Evangelism Team Support) outreach:
Evangelist and church-planter, Joseph Baluku (of Bwera, Uganda – East Africa) sends a great report about soulwinning and church planting, with pictures and mission highlights.
For an introduction to Harvest Ministry’s “N.E.T.S.” Ministry, click here. Reaping a Harvest — in Needy Areas
Meet Joseph & Margret Baluku
NETS Ministers, Joseph & Margret Baluku
Joseph & Margret focus on remote evangelism throughout the southwestern area of Uganda, especially church planting in the Rwenzori mountain areas. Joseph ministers in different cities and villages throughout East Africa (in both Uganda and Kenya), leading evangelistic crusades, open air meetings, revival and prayer meetings, teaching seminars, school meetings, couple’s seminars with Margret, and baptism services.
We PRAISE GOD for both Joseph and Margret, their ministry, and their walk with the Lord. They also are area coordinators, supervising and leading over 20 HMFI – Harvest Ministry Fellowship International ministers and churches.
Joseph says, “Calvary greetings to you . . . I appreciate your prayers and support for this soulwinning mission. . . . Truly our God is good.”
(Left: one of the remote village churches Joseph oversees – Right: Joseph & Margret)
Prayer Request:
Please pray for Joseph and Margret and their eight children. The Baluku family have been active in village evangelism, church planting and overseeing, counseling, and Bible teaching. Harvest Ministry is so honored to partner with such precious people.Joseph and Margret deeply love the Lord and have a passion for soulwinning and strong discipleship of believers. Please keep them in prayer.
Read more about NETS – Harvest Ministry’s National Evangelism Team Support
Read more about HMFI – Harvest Ministry Fellowship International
Mission to BUDUDA!!!
EVANGELISM NEWS:
An upcoming city-wide outreach is planned in the mountainous area of BUDUDA, in S.E. UGANDA. Airline tickets have just been purchased, and Harvest Ministry plans, advertising, and preparations are currently underway.
PLEASE BE PRAYING FOR SOULS!!!
MISSION VIDEO: God’s LIGHT Shines in KAGADI!
KAGADI, UGANDA
“The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2).
In a land that has been spiritually DARK — known for witchcraft, AIDS, false religions, and even cannibalism — the LIGHT of JESUS is now SHINING BRIGHT.
Be encouraged with this 4-minute mission summary video highlighting Harvest Ministry’s recent outreach to the city of Kagadi, in Uganda, East Africa. And please continue to PRAY for these precious people!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
Thank you for sending us!
We appreciate everyone who prayed, encouraged, and helped to support this Kagadi mission outreach possible. And we especially thank God for all the ministry leadership (and HARD WORK) given by our ministry co-workers (& NETS ministers), our entire Harvest Ministry crusade team and technicians, and all the local Kagadi pastors, ushers, and workers.
Please continue to keep all of these wonderful national ministers and their families in your prayers, along with all the new believers in both Kagadi, Uganda and Kenga, Uganda.
If you would like to become a missions & prayer partner with Harvest Ministry, just send us your mailing address (for USA & Canada addresses), and we’d be happy to send you our monthly ministry newsletter.
In His Love & Harvest,
Jon & AnnBe sure to also see:
>> KAGADI: Day-by-day Kagadi updates & photos
>> KAGADI: God’s Protection During Flight Emergency
>> KAGADI: Preparation & Background on Kagadi, Uganda
MEATY: Aren’t All Cultures Equally Valid?
As Christians, we bring the cross-cultural, life-changing message of Jesus Christ and His forgiveness for sin. Our purpose is not to propagate our own cultural standards, but to present the Gospel in a redeeming yet culturally sensitive way to all people we meet.
Q.
Aren’t ALL cultures equally valid?
Why should we try to change other people’s cultures?
A.
The core issue of this question stems from a false application of “multiculturalism” — one that is politically correct, educationally encouraged, and sounds nice. But leaving people trapped in sin and isolated from God’s hope of salvation isn’t the “considerate” option.
As Christians, we bring the cross-cultural, life-changing message of Jesus Christ and His forgiveness for sin. Our purpose is not to propagate our own cultural standards, but to present the Gospel in a redeeming yet culturally sensitive way to all people we meet. Eliminating the beautiful uniqueness of international culture is not the purpose of missions; at times, however, sinful elements of a particular culture may need to change.
I will never forget an interview I had with an outstanding Christian teenager who attended a public high school. This young man led a lunchtime “Bible club” and worship time that grew to reach 250 of his fellow classmates. He was writing a school research paper on Christian missionary work and, specifically, he was trying to support his thesis that “modern missionaries do not attempt to ‘change’ foreign cultures.”
I understood this young man’s heart. He was trying to explain how today’s Christian missionaries are different — more culturally appreciative and sensitive — than some of the old-time colonial missionaries (who attempted to expand all aspects of Western civilization throughout the world). But I still disagreed with his conclusion.
I asked this young man a pointed question. “But don’t you try to ‘change the culture’ of the people you are trying to reach? Just look at the typical ‘culture’ of the teens in your high school before they come to Jesus Christ! Look at the way they dress! Listen to their music, their foul language, and the way they address their teachers! What about the DVD’s they watch and the movies they sneak into? What about typical teenagers involved in premarital impurity, or the girls who’ve had abortions? Aren’t all of these a part of teen ‘culture’?”
I went on to explain to him, “Culture is life!! When you share Christ in your high school, of course you don’t want your friends to stop being teenagers — that’s who they are! But you do want Jesus Christ to totally transform the way they live and the way they make their decisions!”
Around the world, societies that have developed isolated from God’s laws and the gospel are filled with sinful cultural elements:
- tribal hatred, ancestral worship, and idolatry
- immoral sex, adultery, and prostitution
- drug addiction, drunkenness, and witchcraft
- abuse and neglect of women and children
As Christians, our job is to bring the light of Jesus to every precious culture. Through His Word and His Holy Spirit, God will show people the changes they need to make to redeem their cultures back to Him.
All people are equally valid. All cultures need Jesus.
Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”
ON THE LIGHT SIDE: Grasshoppers for Thanksgiving?
By Joshua Dunagan, at age thirteen
“So, what did you eat for Thanksgiving?”
During the week of Thanksgiving, my dad and I were across the world in Uganda, East Africa, holding evangelistic outreaches in remote cities out in the middle of nowhere. It was my second Thanksgiving holiday outside of America. But this time was really different.
In Africa, most people eat the same foods over and over again; at least we sure did.
Day after day, meal after meal, we had overcooked rice, matoke (mashed steamed bananas), and a few chunks of tough meat and guts. But for Thanksgiving we had a “special” African treat. Along with our standard food, we were given a plate full of greasy fried grasshoppers!! They were about two inches long, with the legs and head still on.
As I stared at these insects, thoughts flashed through my brain. I imagined all the yummy food my brothers and sisters were eating at Grandma’s house: turkey and pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes and gravy. I also remembered a time I had eaten big bugs before (at a kid’s camp when I was bribed with a bunch of candy). It wasn’t so hard to chug down an insect just once or twice on a dare, but this was different. It was Thanksgiving—and I was hungry!
Actually, they didn’t taste that bad. As I took my first bite, they reminded me of a cross between popcorn and shrimp—crunchy on the outside and a little gooey on the inside. Soon I was eating one after the other, even throwing them in the air and catching them in my mouth. I must have eaten about sixty of them by the time I was done!
By the way, the ministry went well that night.
We preached to thousands of people . . . and I felt just like John the Baptist!
(Photo is our son, Josh, at 10-years-old, preaching the Gospel in Urua, Uganda)
Happy Mission-Minded Thanksgiving!
Related article on The Christian Post’s “Better Parents, Better Families” blog:
Give Ye, Them to Eat: Thanksgiving, Missions, & “Saints” – By Ann Dunagan
A Mission-Minded Thanksgiving article featuring Nate Saint (Ecuador missionary and martyr) and Rachel Saint (missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators) – two world-renown Christian missionary heroes . . . from the same family!
Mission Thoughts at Thanksgiving
“Why should anyone go back to the table for second’s or third’s,
before everyone’s had a first helping?” —
Won’t anyone pass the food?
Imagine sitting down for a scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner with all of your relatives.
Everyone is eager to eat . . . but as you survey Grandma’s extra-long dining room table, complete with all the extension-pieces brought in from back of the entry closet, you can’t help but notice the lop-sided food layout. All of those delicious-smelling dishes are on the opposite end of the table.
After joining hands and thankin’ the Lord for His bounty, you wait patiently for one of those cousins to pass that basket of yummy-looking homemade rolls your direction . . . but for some reason, they don’t seem to hear you. In fact, it’s almost like you’re not at the table. It’s like no one can see you, or even hear you.
As the other side continues to heap their plates with second- and even third-helpings, everyone at your end is still waiting . . . and waiting . . . with empty plates.
No one’s trying to be mean, of course; it’s just that everybody is distracted. Grandpa’s stories are so hilarious this year; everyone’s laughing; and Aunt Polly’s turkey is more delicious than ever. The others begin to joke about their bulging stomachs . . . as yours continues to grumble with hunger.
Won’t anyone pass the food?
It’s a vivid picture we need to remember, of the need for world missions, and the need to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ . . . with the lost.
This month, as we sit down to thank God for His abundant blessings in our lives (both physically and spiritually), we need to remember that many people (over 1.6 BILLION) are still waiting . . . and waiting . . . for their first helping of the God’s Good News.
“Why should anyone hear the Gospel twice,
before everyone has heard it once?”
–Oswald J. SmithHave a Blessed & Mission-Minded Thanksgiving!
With Love in His Harvest,
Jon & Ann Dunagan & Family
Josh & Anna’s Wedding
On November 12th, 2010, Joshua Michael Dunagan and Anna Leigh Mow were joined by God in covenant marriage, with JOY and anticipation for the future!!!
Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Josh & Anna Dunagan!
May God direct your new life together, and your steps ahead
for His kingdom purposes, and for His GLORY!!!
The Challenge: DAY 40 – God’s MISSION! #5
His MISSION
Welcome to the final day of your 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!
Thank you so much for being a part of this motivational adventure. For this final day, we’re concluding our 40-Day Challenge by focusing on the big picture of God’s Great Commandments and God’s Great Commission. As mission-minded families, let’s aim toward God’s purposes, and be eternally minded.
Note: According to Joshuaproject.net, the statistic need of today’s unreached people is even greater than quoted in this video. This source says that there are currently about 2.71 billion unreached people. This number is SO large – it is equivalent to the total population of ALL of North America (the entire U.S., Canada, and Mexico), ALL of Central America (minus the Caribbean), and ALL of South America . . . TIMES THREE!!!
C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!
- Recommended Mission Resources: Hand Commands – The Ten Commandments for Little Ones, The Mission-Minded Child – Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose, and The Mission-Minded Family – Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny
- Today’s Mission Quote: “Why should anyone hear the Gospel twice, before everyone has heard it once?” – Oswald J. Smith, Missionary Evangelist
- Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: WORLD REVIEW,
- Memory Verse – Revelation 4:10-11
- Today’s online video
The Challenge: DAY 39 – God’s MISSION! #4
His CROWNS
Welcome to DAY 39 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!
For this second-to-last day of our 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE, our focus is living with eternity in mind. As Christians, our priority and focus is loving the Lord Jesus Christ and living for His eternal heavenly crowns, rather than for temporal earthly crowns.
C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!
- Recommended Mission Resources: Hand Commands – The Ten Commandments for Little Ones, The Mission-Minded Child – Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose, and The Mission-Minded Family – Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny
- Today’s Mission Quote: “What would I do wth starry crowns,
except to lay them at his feet?” – Mary Slessor- Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: WORLD REVIEW,
- Memory Verse – Revelation 4:10-11
- Today’s online video
